Letter: Visit to congressman's office was disappointing

I was invited this past week by the Sierra Club to attend a volunteer activist training workshop in Washington D.C.

In addition to learning how to better serve my community, I spent a day on Capitol Hill advocating my concerns to our elected representatives. Before this trip, the Sierra Club's Indiana team contacted the office of Congressman Larry Buschon and made an appointment to discuss our personal stories and why we believe air pollution is a major issue for Southern Indiana. We were assured by his office that Rep. Buschon would be there and would meet with us in person.

When we arrived at Rep. Buschon's office, we were told he was there but that he was busy. A legislative aide ushered us into a cramped space a few feet away from Rep. Buschon's office door, and we were asked to talk with his aide, who would pass the information along to the congressman. As I told the aide stories about my daughter's horrific coughing and utility bills I can barely afford to pay, I heard raucous laughter erupting from Rep. Buschon's office.

During our meeting, Rep. Buschon's guests noisily left. His legislative aide was polite enough, but adamant that even now alone, Rep. Buschon would not be interested in coming out to shake our hands or take a picture. We came all the way to Washington from his home district, we had an appointment, and yet Rep. Buschon refused to meet with us.

He went out of his way to be rude. I don't care if Rep. Buschon disagrees with my viewpoints, it is his job to hear me out, and when he disrespects his constituents, he disrespects and dishonors his office.

One of the core problems I see with our political system isn't the issue of progressives versus conservatives. It is a lack of integrity among our elected officials.

Every healthy community is rooted in respect and honesty. We can disagree on policy, but if we don't have those two attributes, we are truly lost.

It is time for Southern Indiana to hold officials accountable for bad behavior. We must not let them forget who they work for and that we deserve to be treated honorably.